Enough-Ism – Podcaster Interview with Reverend Yugen Bond

On The Table Read, the “Best Celebrity Magazine in the UK“, Reverend Yugen Bond discusses her Enough-Ism podcast, the inspiration behind it, and the work that goes into producing it.

Written by JJ Barnes

www.jjbarnes.co.uk

I interviewed podcaster and author Reverend Yugen Bond about her life and career, what inspired her to start podcasting, and the creative work behind Enough-Ism.

Tell me a bit about who you are.

I’m a minimalist who wants more. My name is Reverend Yugen Bond and I am a metaphysical sciences author with a master’s in metaphysical sciences and a reiki master who once thought meditation was boring, had both too much and nothing to wear, and didn’t know how to pause my thoughts. What a journey it’s been. I share my journey with the world through my podcast, and also feature other people’s mindfulness journeys, too. 

I also wrote a book called “Enough-ism” about the art of having enough already with what you have and wherever you are.  I also host and produce a podcast called, well, Enough-ism. This show aims to shatter perceptions about mindfulness and meditation. 

How and why did you start podcasting?

During the pandemic when I was in quarantine along with the rest of the world, a deep need to both talk to people and to write out my feelings bubbled up strongly inside of me.

I was so emotional about the rapidly evolving state of the world and the collective shift society was experiencing amidst so much chaos and danger. So, I started writing my thoughts about what it meant to be a minimalist in a pandemic, inspired by the toilet paper shortage from a couple of years ago. 

One evening I wrote ten pages effortlessly and easily, and decided to record myself reading it as my first podcast episode, inspired by highly academic podcasts I’d been listening to that involved a lot of research and analysis. I tried to mirror this style, in my own way. 

Writing has always been at the heart of both my profession and my passion, so when I wrote non-stop until the pages poured out of me like water falling down a mountain, I knew I was tapping into something. I hoped someone, somewhere might feel inspired and moved by my ideas. 

From there, I started interviewing other people about their own experiences, too. And then from there, I started leading an online meditation group which now has over 350 members. I hope the Enough-ism movement can continue growing in new ways. 

What is your current podcast called, and how did you come up with the name?

The name “Enough-ism” stemmed from a desire to have a short and simple podcast name. I envisioned a show about minimalism to have clean and simple branding to match, after all. I wanted to have a short, one-word name, therefore. 

It was certainly tricky to come up with just the right name (and also something that didn’t appear to be “taken”). I also wanted something whimsical, kind of Alice in Wonderland-feeling or Dada-esque where the name felt surreal or pretend. Perhaps a made-up word or a hybrid or mash-up of words. The idea behind this thinking is it would feel kind of forward-facing and inspirational. Both of these words also sum up the vibe of the show I was intending when the show was still in ideation stages. 

What platforms can we find Enough-Ism on?

You can ask Alexa to “Play the Enough-ism Podcast”. The show’s also up on iTunes, Audible, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Amazon Music, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Radio Public, Stitcher, Spotify, Audacy, iHeart, Podchaser, and more. I try to get my show out on as many platforms as possible. I figure, hey, you never know who will find you and in what way.

What is Enough-Ism about?

It’s about meditation, mindfulness, and minimalism. And challenging people’s perceptions of what these three ideas mean. In short, all three words are about freedom, living with more mental clarity, and giving yourself some breathing room to ask yourself, “What do I really want, anyway?”

I also record guided meditations for stress, anxiety, sleep, visualization, and so on that I write myself in a stream of consciousness style.

Do you host Enough-Ism alone, or have guest hosts/partners?

I host myself, and I feature various guests on my show, such as fellow minimalists, meditators, empaths, energy healers, ayurvedic experts, scientists, yogis, professors, doctors, and so on.

Do you edit Enough-Ism or have someone who does it for you?

I edit the shows myself, but I do have some new assistance – a high school intern from New Hampshire who has a huge interest in learning production and journalism. 

Do you script Enough-Ism, or just chat as you go?

Both. The shows where it’s just myself talking are scripted because there’s a great deal of research and thought that goes into them. 

I actually like to write my podcasts while sitting at bars. The energy and environment is stimulating, and there’s a sharp juxtaposition between what I’m writing topic-wise and what I’m listening to happen around me. The harshness of the bar blurs with the softness of the writing material.

For my guided meditation podcasts, they are a combination of writing beforehand or just recording completely stream of consciousness, off-the-cuff when I feel inspired. I love being able to hop on the mic when I choose, versus scheduling it out.

For my interviews, I will sometimes do a detailed prep and carefully consider discussion points. But, most times, we usually wing it. Winging it, of course, takes deep still, practice, and finesse to get just right. Most of my shows are heavily edited in post-production to sound as clean and interesting as I can make them. I’m a journalist and podcast producer by training, so I leverage this professional experience as part of my Enough-ism passion project. You have to be a little bold to wing it, but I love the challenge and how it forces you to stay in the moment. I’m also a professionally trained improv actor from a past life, so I tap into that part of my brain as needed. It takes a high level of analytical skill to know, not only when to speak, but when to not speak.

How has Enough-Ism changed or developed since you began?

Initially, I didn’t expect to have as many guests as I did. I thought it would just be me talking. I also didn’t plan on doing guided meditations at first.

I’m very open to changing my show as I evolve as a person. I also try all different kinds of styles. For example, the openings of my podcasts shift over time. Some are highly produced in great detail and get very narrative and creative. Every detail from the music choice to the tone of my voice was something I played around with and had fun trying to get “right”. Other shows are more mellow and simple with less editing because that’s what I was feeling at the time.

What are your biggest challenges with Enough-Ism?

Time. To get a podcast to be truly great, it takes a tremendous amount of time and energy. The details matter greatly. I want the bulk of my energy with the podcast to be on the content creation itself. Ultimately, I’m working on leveraging my podcast as a springboard for other creative projects.

What are your favourite podcasts to listen to?

The Minimalists is one of the first podcasts I got very into. My 7 Chakras was a show that inspired me wanting to start my own show because of how much research the host did. I also really like super long podcasts where you go down rabbit holes hard.

How and where do you promote Enough-Ism?

Word of mouth, primarily. I’m old school. I also like to promote my show by being a guest on other people’s podcasts, and on the radio.

Do you earn money from podcasting, or is it a hobby?

Yes, I do. 

What’s something you never expected about podcasting? What have you learned that surprised you?

I never expected it would become part of my identity. “I’m a podcaster.” It’s like you’re in a club, suddenly. On that note, I love meeting fellow podcasters and chatting about how we edit and create our shows. Especially other people with meditation podcasts, too. What’s surprised me is how friendly and open and chill the podcast community is.

What is the first piece of advice you would give to anyone inspired to start podcasting?

One lesson a yogi once taught me is: If you’re going to do something, whether it’s washing the dishes or getting dressed or tending to your garden, or taking out the trash, or whatever it is, take the time to do it right and with purpose and passion.

And, finally, are you proud of what you’re accomplishing with your podcast? Is it worth the effort?

Yes, but I think it’s not so much being proud as it is being passionate and working hard.

Pop all your work, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:

Follow me on social media @IAmEnoughism, visit me online at IAmEnoughism.com to hear the podcast, check out a guided meditation, and read some of the interviews I’ve done for the show. You can find my book “Enough-ism: This Minimalist Wants More” on Amazon. And check out my podcast, if you’d like, Enough-ism. 

More information:

website: IAmEnoughism.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXx_Nc1wPxpbfiOceZ0XdjQ

e-book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089QTFC5C

Blog: https://iamenoughism.medium.com/

Online meditation group: https://www.meetup.com/enoughism-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamenoughism/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IAmEnoughism

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/68698754/admin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enoughismpodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamenoughism?lang=en

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